Church Letter
Like many who had been tasked with writing an article for a forthcoming publication, and indeed had made a decision on what to write, I found that the events of 8 September 2022 changed any plans. The death of Queen Elizabeth II, whilst not a total surprise, left so many in the United Kingdom, Commonwealth and the world with a deep sense of loss and shock. Since the announcement we have seen the nation come together as one, in grief but also in thanksgiving, for her life in the service of her people and to God. There has been much said regarding the Queen’s loyalty to her people and her steadfast faith. There have been huge numbers who have turned out to get a glimpse of the Funeral Cortege as it went past them on its journey from Balmoral to London.
It has been pleasing to see the common touch, from the gillies carrying the coffin at Balmoral to the congregation in St Paul’s coming in from the street. The road from Balmoral to Edinburgh was lined with people, even a row of tractors and horses whose drivers and riders were all wishing to offer respect.
Church bells, most of which were half muffled, tolled out across the nation. The armed services, whist we have come to expect excellent precision, was of the highest standard. Anyone who has done any form of marching will appreciate just what it must have taken to achieve that degree of efficient timing. I was especially taken with the marching from Buckingham Palace to Westminster Hall with the royal family also keeping time and step.
Politicians have mentioned the incredible memory that the Queen possessed, something which King Charles III can also boast. One has to be in awe of the fortitude and physicality of the Royal Family, especially King Charles, as they conducted themselves since the death of the Queen. The nation has lost their Queen, and the family, their head of family.
On Sunday 11th September in cities, towns and villages Charles III was proclaimed King, a moment of hope for all.
LONG LIVE THE KING
To the future, we welcome Reverend Kathryn Evans to be licensed as the new vicar on Sunday 23rd October, which will be further reason for hope. Everyone is invited and we look forward to seeing you there Pat Milner, Churchwarden
Church Floodlighting
The complete September list
5th Tomena 5/9/21 We miss you everyday x
5th - Happy Heavenly Birthday to Gill Brewster. Love always from your girls xxx
10th - Emma & Steve’s Wedding Day
11th - * Simon & Ann-Marie's Wedding Anniversary
20th - * Martin and Debbie’s Wedding Anniversary
24th - * Sheila and David Parr's Wedding Anniversary
The October list so far
3rd * Lit by Julie Simpson for Debbie, Nina and friends.
5th * In memory of Rose Bray boat woman
6th * Ralph & Gill Maltby’s Wedding Anniversary
6th Our Wedding vow "until death us do part" taken sixty years Diamond Anniversary
31st - * Remembering Joan & BIll Folkard and my brother, Michael, Love Lin
* = Friends of All Saints A huge Thank You
These are requests received before the BVN deadline 12:00 midday 18th September.
The current fee to light All Saints’ is £7 per evening, although you can give more, and we ask that you try to keep the length of the dedication for inclusion in the BVN to not more than 12 words.
The completed message with the donation can be left at the Post Office, but note that requests are only collected from the Post Office on the 18th of each month. Please mark the envelope ‘Church Floodlighting’.
Tiny Treasures
Parent /Carer and toddler group for pre-school children. We meet on:
Tuesday mornings during term time 9.00am to 11.00am
Come along and enjoy playtime, stories, craft time and singing.
Prayer Chain
If you would like to be included in the prayer chain and receive a copy of the prayer chain or receive prayer for yourself, please contact either suejennens21@gmail.com or your church warden. The list is updated each month (first names only).
Braunston Community Larder
This is a valuable resource for the village and visitors and to ensure it can continue we have secured a permanent home inside the church. It is on the left as you go into the church at the back. Donations can be left and those in need are welcome to access it as needed.
Braunston Ringers
All Saints’ Church in Braunston has 6 bells. The Ringers marked the death of Queen Elizabeth with an hour of ringing on 9th Sept. The muffles were on during the period of mourning. A leather pad on one
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side of the tenor bell results in alternating loud and dull sounds. It was calculated that during the hour there were 1400 strikes. Muffles were retained during the ringing for the wedding that occurred during the period of mourning.
The All Saints’ bells were rung for 30 minutes prior to the Queen’s funeral on 19th and the tenor bell was tolled for 15 minutes whilst the coffin was taken from Westminster Hall to the Abbey.
Many Braunston residents appreciate the ringing of the church bells. It was particularly welcome as a sign of difficult times passing to hear them after the covid lockdown had prevented ringing .
6 of the 9 Braunston Ringers are in the photo on the front cover. From the left Patsy Groom, Kim Gibbard, Anne Brown, Jane Smith, Glyn Edwards (Tower Captain) and Pat Milner.
The ringing team would love you to join them. They can teach you if you would like to learn how to ring. You would also be welcome if you are a
G & S comes to Braunston
I Have a Song to Sing-O... Well, fortunately, no I don't. But Voci Vivo do! And in Braunston...
The renowned semi-professional singers, who have earned a welldeserved reputation in the Midlands and beyond, will perform a selection of Gilbert & Sullivan highlights at All Saints' Church on Saturday15th October. The concert is being organised by The Friends of All Saints’, their first event since before the pandemic.
Expect a host of favourites, like Take a Pair of Sparkling Eyes, When the Foeman Bares his Steel, and the “Nightmare song” from Iolanthe. Plus many more, including rarely-heard gems from Princess Ida and Trial by Jury and more than one rousing finale. It promises to be the Very Model of a Modern G&S Event.
Voci Vivo have performed grand opera as well as sell-out “pop-up” productions of Pirates of Penzance and The Mikado. Their appearance here comes about because Phill Abbott, who runs a business in the Marina, is a leading member of the group.
Gilbert & Sullivan is always hugely popular and a full house is expected. Tickets are on sale now, so Never Mind the Why and Wherefore, head to the village shop, café, Marina or Admiral Nelson and get yours now before (Ah Woe is Me) they are all gone...
John Foster, Secretary, The Friends of All Saints', Braunston. secretary.foasb@allsaintsbraunston.org.uk.
The Friends of All Saints’ are dedicated to maintaining and enhancing the church building and its contents. Membership costs £2 a month, or £20 a year (minimum). Members are entitled to have the spire floodlit at no extra charge on a date of their choosing. To subscribe, please contact the treasurer, Ralph Maltby, at 8 Mill Close, Braunston. Friends of All Saints’ present
Clerk: Steve Rolt c/o 82 Greenway, Braunston, NN11 7JT
t: 0800 002 9783 (Freephone) e: clerk@braunstonpc.org
Chair: Sandra Stapley, Vice-Chair: John Pomfret
This list shows which councillor to contact for the area you live in: Archer Avenue and Cross Lane Alan Mawer 01788 890340 Ashby Road 0800 002 9783
Church Road and Barby Road Pete Morgan 07805 677559 Dark Lane Sue Harrison 07769 589459
Eastfields Jo Glover 07973 278052
The Green Graham Newman 07710 290265
Greenway and Closes 0800 002 9783
High St (Old Plough to The Green) Rhianna Conway 01788 890453
High St (A45 to Old Plough) David Cary 07775 514840
London Rd, Hill Row, Old Rd, Marina John Pomfret 07817 234727
Spinney Hill and Closes Carrie-Ann Biggs 07796 712408
Welton Rd, School Cl, Maple Cl Sandra Stapley 01788 890475
Members (2023/2024 on the Braunston Council Information and News
Parish Council Surgery
The next surgery when councillors will be available to discuss issues you would like to raise will be at 6.30pm on Tuesday 11th October in the Old Library - VILLAGE HALL. If the surgery time is not convenient please get in touch to let us know your concern using the contact details on the previous page.
The Proclamation of the Accession of HM King Charles III
About 25 people attended the official proclamation of the new King on 11 September.
Parish Clerk, Steve Rolt, introduced the ceremony to mark the formal Proclamation to the people of the Parish of Braunston of the beginning of our new King’s reign. This was followed by the official Proclamation by Parish Chair, Sandra Stapley.
The ceremony ended with a call for three cheers for His Majesty The King.
Bus Service
Over recent months the Parish Council has received an increasing number of complaints about some journeys on the D2 not arriving. The service has become less reliable. Thank you for reporting these issues. We have written to the manager at Stagecoach to ask what the company is doing to improve the situation and what information we can pass on to passengers in Braunston. His response is shownbelow. We have also informed our ward councillors and WNC Councillor Phil Larratt, Cabinet Member for Environment, Transport, Highways and Waste, about the matter. We have also pointed out that there are no
‘
real time’ information displays at Daventry Bus Station or the stops in Rugby and that not all passengers can use the ‘live’ information on a smart phone that indicates when a bus will arrive.
Almost all journeys continue to run as timetabled but we are aware of the great inconvenience a single cancellation can cause now that buses are only every 2 hours for much of the day. Please continue to report problems to the Parish Council. This information helps us campaign for a better service.
The D2 is a commercial service. Stagecoach receive no subsidy from West Northamptonshire or central government to run the route into Braunston, so please use it as much as possible in order to keep it viable.
From Mark Whitelocks, Managing Director - Stagecoach Midlands:I would like to apologise for the disruption to services that have been evident over recent weeks. Like many operators, and indeed businesses generally, these are challenging times and we have been suffering from a shortage of drivers. There is a national shortage of bus drivers at the moment. We are continuing to work hard on recovering our driver position and we are seeing matters improve and this is translating into improved service delivery. We expect this to continue as we continue to see more of the recruits currently in our training school complete their training and we recover our driver position.
Our training school has a great record of helping to support people acquire the skills to become a bus driver with a success rate of more than 9 in10 candidates graduating from our training school. However, it does take many weeks to pass through the various stages to acquire driving licence entitlements and complete the required training. In addition to our continued recruitment and training activities, we are looking to make some changes to our services across the company in October. None of these changes will impact Braunston at this time, but in totality these changes will help reduce our driver requirement, which along with ongoing training will mean that as we move into the autumn we do expect our service delivery to markedly improve. I hope that this information helps reassure those using our services.
The Parish Council has bought two new litter bins of a size similar to the one shown here. One is to replace the broken bin next to the seat at the junction of Church Road and High Street. The other will replace the small bin on The Green close to Braunston Fryer. We hope that they will be installed by the time you read this. from Rosie Humphreys, WNC Ward Councillor for Braunston and Crick
Boundary Review
West Northants Council’s proposal to reduce the overall number of councillors from 93 to 77 at the next elections in 2025 has been accepted by the Local Government Boundary Commission for England. This follows a cross party assessment which recommended that 77 councillors was the number required to represent communities page
effectively, deliver council business and provide effective governance. The last electoral review in Northants took place in 2013 and the current arrangements are based on the old county council with 3 councillors serving 31 wards.
The new consultation is now underway enabling residents and organisations to have their say as to how the new wards should be shaped around the proposed new number of councillors. Any mixture of single to 2 or 3 member wards is possible provided each councillor represents the same number of voters. This first consultation ends on 7th November, with a further consultation opening next year after the Commission has completed its draft recommendations.
Cost of Living Crisis and the Council’s financial challenges
West Northants Council has announced that it is facing significant financial challenges. Rising inflation is driving up running costs, construction costs and the services bought in by the Council. These challenges are likely to result in an unforeseen shortfall in its budget with pressures set to continue into 2023/24. Planning is underway for a shortfall of between £5m and £10m.
This announcement has been published on the Braunston Parish Council news on the village website. In addition to rightly looking at ways to save money and work more efficiently perhaps the report on the financial situation to be presented to Cabinet later in the month will also consider making use of the Council’s considerable reserves which were forecast in February to be £109.4 million of both general fund and earmarked reserves.
What will also be presented to the Cabinet meeting is a report on the Council’s response to the cost of living crisis. Please let me know how residents are being impacted by spiralling energy costs and inflation so that I can feed this back. Locally generated ideas will be helpful I have already been asked whether the Council will support community warm hubs in village halls or other community spaces, similar to arrangements some cities such as Birmingham are beginning to make for the autumn/winter.
The Community Larder in Daventry (a reminder that it is open to everyone) now has 75 members and it is likely that demand will only increase over the coming months.
To hire the hall please visit the website: braunstonvillagehall.org.uk
Contacts for Village Hall activities
Pop Mobility Lorraine 01788 890846 Tues 2-3
The Hive Valerie 01788 891975 1st Weds 2-4
Art Group Alan 01788 890526 Wed 2 4
Yoga Sheila 01788 891831 Wed 7-8
Short Mat Bowls Bill 01788 891145 Thurs 2 4 David 01788 891183
Brownies Clare 07544 936589 Thurs 5.30-7
Friendly Club Jenny 01788 890186 2nd and 4th Mon 2-4
Learn to Crochet Gill 07711 742575 1st and 3rd Tues10-12
History Society Annie 01788 891179 3rd Tues 7 9
Climate Action Abigail 07989 421836 1st Weds 7.30-9
Braunston QuiltersLaura 01788 890102 4th Thurs 9.45 1
Gardens Ass’n Kate 01788 890340 2nd Thurs 7.30-9
Cinema Club Arthur 01788 890508 Last Sat 7 10
Please check with contacts listed for information about holidays and breaks.
Pre-School Monday - Friday 01788 891891 braunstonpreschool@googlemail.com
Braunston Community Car
The Community Car is for you, available for all residents journeys for hospital, doctors and other medical appointments, shopping and local trips to friends.
Any payment is by voluntary contribution. To request a journey call Community Car number 07984 412921 (24 hrs notice where possible please).
The team would like to thank Zack of Vinetree Automotive of Staverton for his generous support in maintaining the Community Car. Grateful thanks to Your Café Grants Fund for the recent grant of £1000 towards the cost of our new Community Car.
We are looking for a volunteer to drive the community car on Sundays. For further details ring Lynda on 07402 221464 to give your name and number and John will call you back when he’s not driving! Clubs and Groups
Saturday Oct 29th 7.30pm in Village Hall
OPERATION
2021 PG 13
A successful British deception operation of the Second World War to disguise the 1943 Allied invasion of Sicily. Colin Firth, Mathew Macfadyen. With Simon Russell Beale as Winston Churchill and Johnny Flynn as Ian Fleming.
In the context of WW2 narratives, the story of Operation Mincemeat is unique, a bizarre and seductive cinematic blend of high-level espionage and ingenious fiction, where the stakes could hardly be higher. Michelle Ashford's script fuses multiple strands and moods: tense, romantic, thrilling, unexpectedly funny, and endlessly surprising. It tells a richly human story of the soldiers we seldom see, who fight a different kind of war in shadows and deception, haunted by the knowledge that certainty and guarantee of success are nowhere to be found.
Please book in advance. Some tickets may be available on the door
Braunston Friendly Club
We meet in The Gallie Room at the Village Hall, 2pm to 4pm. Members enjoy tea, cake, fruit and a variety of activities that are organised through the year. Please come along and join us to find out more about what we do. We have extra cups, cake and chat all ready for people looking to come along to their first meeting.
Monday 10th October
Childhood and weather sayings
Veronica will be getting us to put our thinking caps on to see how many we remember!
Monday 24th October
Fisherman’s Friends Main Hall of Village Hall
We are grateful to Braunston Cinema Club for arranging this film showing. We are trialling a new approach for our film afternoon, following suggestions by members, tea and cake will be served at 2pm, with the film starting at 2.30pm. Due to the length of the film we have a later finish, about 4.30pm. Subscription, £10, and Christmas meal booking, £17, both due in October. We are happy to receive payment in instalments.
For more information telephone Jenny 01788 890186 or Kate 01788 890340
Braunston Village Charity
The Braunston Village Charity can assist and support villagers experiencing hardship by making small, one off grants and gifts. The grant or gift cannot be to provide something that is the responsibility of the state.
The Charity has developed a webpage which is hosted on the Village Website and gives details of how to apply to the charity and the type of help that can be given.
To suggest someone who might be eligible or to find out more please contact the Charity via the webpage, or by phone on 07943 486097.
Braunston Heart
Please remember that we are here for you to contact when you are unable to collect your own shopping, medication, change light bulbs or even to walk your dog. We will try to help with most things.
Braunston Village Gardens Association
Its official Braunston Show is a treasure!
The beautiful exhibits entered for the Braunston Show became the first clue for the BBC Radio Northampton Treasure Quest. Exhibitors arranging their entries and stewards collecting prize labels in anticipation of the judges arriving, were interrupted by BBC Radio Northampton reporter, Jules, rushing in, with Suzanne Batchelor’s help, to find out more about her first clue.
Jules was treated to a village hall vibrant with colour, aromas from the tempting bakes, inspiring crafts and amazing produce and flowers despite the difficult weather conditions this summer.
Thank you to the 81 exhibitors, especially those new to taking part in the Braunston Show. Your exhibits caught both Jules’ eye and all the visitors who joined us in the afternoon. It was good to be back after two years, meeting up with friends and welcoming one of the largest number of new exhibitors in the last ten years. We thank the BVGA Committee and Supporters for making the show possible.
Suzanne Batchelor enjoying Jacob Cannings’ recycled materials clothing
Thank you to PumpkinPip Ltd for their invaluable support with the online entry and results analysis, Cay and Jay at Select Convenience Stores for collecting entry forms, John and Liz for their support at the Village Hall.
Particular thanks go to the following businesses and organisations for their generous donations towards the prizes for the tombola and raffle, both of which are always very well supported on the day.
Admiral Nelson Pub
Barby Nurseries
The Beauty Box
The Boat House
The Boat Shop
Bragborough Hall Farm
Braunston Bakes
Braunston Cinema Club
Braunston Fryer
Braunston Village Café Charisma
Dot Crowe Open Studios artist
Gongoozler’s Rest
Home Farm Events
Keith Westley Plumbing
Old Plough Pub
Wheatsheaf Pub
Congratulations to the Trophy Winners
The TUC Centenary Perpetual Challenge Batchelor
The George Green Perpetual Challenge Trophy Blackford
The Betty Hargraves Cup
Braunston Bakes Carol Davey Memorial Trophy
The Braunston Barrow (Public Choice) Bancroft
The Novice
Little Fingers
The Busy Phipps
The Green Fingers
The Jubilee Trophy
Congratulations to the Best in Group Winners:
A
B
F
J
L
Braunston History Society
Tuesday October 18th 7.30pm in the Village Hall
Braunston Then and Now
We showed some photos at The Platinum Jubilee by projector which were very popular. We have now added many more from our collection. Also maps and other items of interest. Please come along and support your local history society and share your recollections and memories. Members free, guests £4 Future Programme 7.30pm in the Village Hall unless stated differently Nov 15th John Frearson will give an illustrated talk on the History of Lime and Cement Works of Rugby and surrounding area.
Dec 10th an early Christmas get together. Lunch Venue to be decided nearer the time, perhaps following a walk weather permitting.
Brownies
We meet 5:30 7:00pm on Thursdays during term time in the Village Hall. If you would like to join please email: secondbraunstonbrownies@hotmail.com
2nd Braunston Scout Group
This month Cubs were cooking up apple puffs and sausage rolls. Shown below are ‘Red’ Six with their Apple Puffs. Cubs learned hygiene before cooking in particular after handling raw sausage meat. Everything cooked was eaten and enjoyed!
Braunston Paddox Cricket Club (BPCC)
By the time you read this our season will be over. 2022 has been somewhat of a Curate’s Egg excellent in parts, awful in others. Failing to raise a second Saturday side at the start of the season meant that we were never in the hunt in the Northamptonshire league as we were heavily penalised for our concessions. The seconds eventually finished 8th in the league, and if we had had the extra 2 or 3 players available in those key matches and not been penalised, we would probably have finished 4th and gained promotion.
The 1st XI did finish 4th and played some excellent cricket for most of the season. The one blip in the league was a surprising defeat to the bottom of the table club, who at that time had not won a single game. Were it not for that defeat the firsts would also have gained promotion.
The end of season cup competitions were equally frustrating. The 1st XI won through to the quarter finals when they were easily beaten by Milton Keynes Air, who they had defeated previously in the league. The seconds
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went one better and reached the semifinals but lost away at Thrapston.
As reported earlier the midweek team finished 4th in the Rugby and District League.
There were several individual highlights though. Jordan Shingler had the season of his life with the bat. Scoring a record 1214 runs in all competitions. He was at his best in the league. His 1172 runs in league and cup matches was exactly double the score of the next batsman, Ollie Dunn. Ollie’s total itself was the 14th highest aggregate in the club’s 40 plus year history. Only seven other players have bettered it.
Shaun Harnett was the leading wicket taker with 39 just ahead of Elijah Glover on 37. 15-year-old Noah Eyles showed great promise as a bowler with 20 victims. Shaun also passed a personal milestone with his 500th wicket for the club. Only three other players have achieved this feat.
16-year-old Noah Kemp broke the record for the greatest number of stumpings in a season with 6 whilst Elijah Glover took the most catches with 21, just one short of the club record. He also scored his first century for BPCC. Other personal milestones included Alex Goddard and Rohan Patel playing their100th match, Kurt Shingler and Colin Scott their 200th and Richard Stapley his 700th for the club.
Kurt Shingler with the newly acquired digital scoreboard which was very generously sponsored by Chris Eyles and The Wheatsheaf. All we need now is a habitable pavilion to house it in.
Braunston Canal Society
Despite the heat during our first task party in August a crew of 8 painted lock 3 at the Nelson pub, the last of the 3 locks to be painted this year. The poor condition of some of the wood did not help but the lock now looks a lot better.
The ad hoc task parties this month included another outing for a crew of 6 aboard Skippy. The weir at lock 2 was cleared, the willow above lock 6 was trimmed and the towpath leading up to the tunnel cleared of low hanging branches. In addition, 3 more compost bins were built at Union Canal Carriers and their privet hedge trimmed. Lock maintenance was completed with the scraping of all the lock gates.
At the end of the month we cleared the weirs at locks 3,4 & 5 along with addressing the lack of vegetation maintenance by contractors. The Society is always keen to welcome new volunteers so if you would like to come along and have some fun you can email us at braunstoncanalsociety@gmail.com or phone/text us on 07817 435911. If you would like to see our previous activities check out our website at www.braunston.org.uk/bcs.
